Samy giving me sleepless nights, says DPM

Barisan Nasional deputy chief Muhyiddin Yassin today admitted, albeit jokingly, that negotiations with MIC leaders over the coalition's candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election had been intense.

Speaking before 2,000 BN supporters in a rally at Bukit Sentosa this afternoon, Muhyiddin joked that the intensity of the negotiations have caused him sleepless nights off late.

"The moment I wake up, I see (MIC president S) Samy Vellu," he said, provoking laughter from his audience.

"I am very happy today to see him smiling... if he is smiling, everyone else will do the same."

Soon after the death of incumbent Zainal Abidin Ahmad, many top MIC officials claimed that their deputy president G Palanivel was the party's sole nominee to the BN leadership.

However, as nomination day drew closer, there were increasing signs that the BN leadership disapproved of Palanivel, who also have been drawing criticism from Hulu Selangor Umno leaders.

Pacifying Umno warlords?

Appeasing local Umno warlords is crucial as the constituency comprise of 52 percent Malay electorate.

As rumours that Palanivel would be dropped intensified, Selangor and Hulu Selangor MIC leaders protested and warned of boycotts.

Last-minute negotiations between Samy Vellu and Muhyiddin went on until this morning resulting in MIC information chief P Kamalanathan being picked as a compromise.

Muhyiddin described Kamalanathan as a local, though he is actually based in nearby Rawang, who is well-educated and posseses a clean background.

"He has no problems. We have checked his background - back and front. Sorry. I'm just joking," quipped Muhyiddin, in an apparent dig at PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

In an apparent appeal for local Umno leaders to stand by Kamalanathan, Muhyiddin stressed that the BN spirit involves compromise and acceptance.

"There are many voices suggesting to field an Umno member because there many Malays in the area. It's not that Umno can't win, I believe that Umno can win too.

"But we, from BN, are old friends and we dine and drink on the same table. The prime minister had said before, Hulu Selangor must be an MIC seat," he said.

DPM: Samy’s my big brother

In his speech, Muhyiddin also called on those present to gear up for a stiff campaign ahead.

"We have to raise our spirits to face the challenges that face us. We have to ensure that voters - may it be Malays, Chinese or Indians - to give their support to BN," he said.

"The development we have today was it because of Pakatan, PKR or (its candidate) Zaid Ibrahim. The people can now see for themselves that under BN we protect all and deliver to all.

"We must champion for the people here... Don't allow PKR to lead, more so Zaid Ibrahim," said Muhyiddin, who at one point dubbed himself a 'by-election specialist'.

Later, Muhyiddin invited Samy Vellu to the rostrum, but not before describing him as the "great Samy Vellu and my big brother".

After Muhyiddin's 30-minute speech, Samy kept his speech brief.

"I read somewhere that Zaid is a heavyweight, but even a lightweight can overthrow a heavyweight," he said.

Reporting by S Pathmawathy, Salhan K Ahmad and Kuek Ser Kuang Keng.